Huawei seeks clarification after New Zealand rejects 5G bid

WELLINGTON – Huawei Technologies Co Ltd has said it wants to seek clarification from New Zealand after the country's intelligence agency rejected the first request from the telecommunications industry to use equipment from the Chinese company in its future 5G mobile network.

Huawei said it had no formal contact with the government's Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), which cited national security concerns by refusing a proposal from telecommunications operator Spark New Zealand to build its 5G network with Huawei equipment.

"Huawei is looking forward to an urgent meeting with ministers and relevant officials to understand the government's position and seek clarification on the process," Andrew Bowater, deputy executive director of Huawei in New Zealand, said in a statement Thursday.

He added that New Zealand had not presented any evidence of wrongdoing and that Huawei had rejected the idea that it was threatening local businesses "in any way."

"Huawei would be delighted to have the opportunity to actively respond to any concerns and work together to find a solution," Bowater said.

Western governments are increasingly wary of what they say is a possible involvement of the Chinese state in fifth generation mobile and other communication networks. Huawei insisted that Beijing has no influence on society.

Intelligence Services Minister Andrew Little said Spark – whose application was part of the country's first 5G application – could work with the agency to reduce risk. He declined to specify concerns, citing classified information.

Huawei has been present in New Zealand since 2005, providing equipment for the country's 4G mobile system network and testing earlier this year 5G technology with Spark.

"Huawei … has always worked in good faith with the government and other industry players," Bowater said.

Few intelligence officials said that the security issues of 5G networks differed from those of previous generations, as it was difficult to limit high-risk providers to less sensitive parts of the network.